Overview & Orientation
Etna is a small borough in Allegheny County on the north bank of the Allegheny River, at the mouth of Pine Creek, between Millvale and Sharpsburg. It covers about 0.8 square miles, with Butler Street as its main street and quick access to Route 28 and the 62nd Street Bridge. Etna is known for its award-winning riverfront park and trail, its walkable Butler Street business district, and its status as the world’s first certified EcoDistrict. It is part of the Shaler Area School District.
Where Etna Is
- County: Allegheny County
- Type: Borough, incorporated September 16, 1868, covering about 0.8 square miles. See Wikipedia’s Etna entry.
- ZIP code: 15223, with Pittsburgh mailing addresses
- Neighbors: Shaler Township (most sides), Sharpsburg (southeast), Millvale (west), and the City of Pittsburgh across the Allegheny River
Borough or Just a Pittsburgh Address?
Homes in Etna use “Pittsburgh, PA 15223” mailing addresses, and that ZIP code also reaches into parts of Shaler Township. Etna is its own borough, not part of the City of Pittsburgh. Each municipality has its own services and taxes:
| Municipality | School District |
|---|---|
| Etna Borough | Shaler Area |
| Shaler Township | Shaler Area |
To confirm a property’s municipality, check the deed, the tax bill, or Allegheny County’s online real estate records.
Typical Drive Times
Times are approximate and vary by where you start. Traffic varies by time of day, especially on Route 28.
| Destination | About |
|---|---|
| Lawrenceville (via the 62nd Street Bridge) | 5 minutes |
| Shaler / Glenshaw | 5–10 minutes |
| Downtown Pittsburgh | 10–20 minutes |
| Oakland | 15–20 minutes |
| Pittsburgh International Airport | 30 minutes |
A Brief History
Etna is named for Mount Etna, the volcano in Sicily. It grew as an iron and steel town along the river. Carnegie Steel’s Isabella Furnace operated here from 1872 until 1953, and the Etna Iron Works, founded in 1894, became Spang Chalfant & Co. in 1910. The borough was incorporated on September 16, 1868.
After flooding from Hurricane Ivan in 2004, Etna focused its redevelopment on green infrastructure and resilience, including rain gardens, tree plantings, and stormwater projects. In 2019 it became the world’s first certified EcoDistrict, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and it is part of a Triboro EcoDistrict with Millvale and Sharpsburg. The borough’s website has flood resources and project updates.
Notable Landmarks
- Etna Riverfront Trail and Park: A 1.8-acre riverside park, named a Great Place in Pennsylvania in 2022
- Butler Street: The main street, named a Great Street in Pennsylvania in 2021
- Dougherty Nature Trail: A path along Pine Creek
- Garden of Etna: A community green space with a solar-powered carport
Housing & Real Estate
Housing Stock
Etna is compact, with homes on a grid of streets on the flat land near Butler Street and on the hillsides above. Much of the housing dates from the late 1800s and early 1900s, built during the town’s iron and steel years. Brick and frame single-family homes, row homes, and two-unit homes are common, and sidewalks connect most streets to the business district.
Because parts of Etna are in the floodplain of Pine Creek and the Allegheny River, buyers should check any property on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and ask about flood insurance and the home’s flood history.
Types of Homes
- Single-family homes
- Row homes and duplexes
- Apartments, including some above Butler Street storefronts
Because Etna is small, only a limited number of homes are usually on the market at once. Prices and availability change daily, so the live feed is the place to check. See current homes for sale in Etna.
Schools
Shaler Area School District
Etna is served by the Shaler Area School District, which also covers Shaler Township, Millvale, and Reserve Township, about 14 square miles in all. The district office is at 1800 Mount Royal Boulevard in Glenshaw. See the district overview for background.
- Primary (K–3): Burchfield, Marzolf, Reserve, and Scott Primary Schools
- Elementary (4–6): Shaler Area Elementary School
- Middle (7–8): Shaler Area Middle School
- High (9–12): Shaler Area High School
Primary school assignments depend on where a home is located. Check with the district for the school that serves a specific address.
Nearby Colleges & Universities
- La Roche University (McCandless)
- CCAC Allegheny Campus (North Side)
- University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and other Oakland campuses
For school performance data, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Future Ready PA Index and the district’s own website. School assignments can change. Confirm directly with the district.
Getting Around
Major Roads
- PA Route 28: Runs along the riverfront, south to the North Shore and Downtown and north up the Allegheny Valley
- PA Route 8: A short drive west, heading north through Shaler toward the North Hills
- 62nd Street Bridge: Crosses the Allegheny River to Lawrenceville and Morningside
- Butler Street: Etna’s main street
Public Transit
Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) provides bus service through Etna, with connections to Downtown. Check the PRT trip planner for current routes and schedules.
Walkability & Bikeability
Butler Street is designed for walking, with street trees, benches, and bike racks, and many errands can be done on foot. See Walk Score for Etna, PA. The Etna Riverfront Trail connects to the River Towns trail system, filling a gap between the Three Rivers Heritage Trail and the longer Erie-to-Pittsburgh Trail network.
Things to Do
Etna Riverfront Trail and Park
Etna Riverfront Trail and Park
Southern end of Bridge Street, at the foot of the 62nd Street Bridge. Completed in 2021 after a seven-year, three-phase effort, the 1.8-acre park has about 780 feet of riverfront, a pavilion and performance stage, a trail hub, scenic overlooks, ecological restoration areas, and an accessible parking lot. Its design uses weathering steel, concrete, and wood as a nod to Etna’s industrial past. It hosts concerts, performances, and outdoor fitness events, and it was named a Great Place in Pennsylvania in 2022, per Pittsburgh Magazine. See the borough’s riverfront park page.
Butler Street
The 21-block Butler Street corridor has boutiques, restaurants, a pizza shop, a pierogi shop, a brewery taproom, bars, art galleries, specialty food shops, and other independent businesses. It was named a Great Street in Pennsylvania in 2021 for its rain gardens, street trees, and pedestrian-friendly design. See Pittsburgh Magazine’s look at Etna for more.
Dougherty Nature Trail
A walking path along Pine Creek, offering a green break close to Butler Street.
Library
The nearby Shaler North Hills Library is at 1822 Mount Royal Boulevard in Glenshaw, (412) 486-0211. It is part of the Allegheny County Library Association, so a card works at member libraries across the county. The Millvale Community Library is also close by.
Local Services & Resources
Etna Borough Building
437 Butler Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15223
Phone: (412) 781-0569
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Website: etnaborough.org
Borough Council: Third Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at the borough building.
Trash & Utilities
Waste Management collects trash in Etna. For missed pickups, call (800) 458-4090. Water, sewage, and garbage bills are paid through the Hampton Shaler Water Authority. Call the borough office for collection days and recycling details.
Emergency Services
- Emergencies: Call 911
- Police: Etna Police Department, (412) 781-6271. After 3 p.m., calls go through Allegheny County 911.
Hospitals Nearby
- AHN Allegheny General Hospital (North Side)
- UPMC Shadyside and other city hospitals, about 15 minutes away
Permits & Zoning
Planning a renovation, addition, deck, fence, or pool? Contact the borough’s zoning officer at (412) 781-0569, ext. 16. Because of the floodplain, some projects may have extra requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What county is Etna in?
Etna is in Allegheny County, on the Allegheny River across from Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville and Morningside neighborhoods.
Is Etna part of the City of Pittsburgh?
No. Etna is its own borough, even though homes use “Pittsburgh, PA 15223” mailing addresses.
What school district serves Etna?
The Shaler Area School District, which also serves Shaler Township, Millvale, and Reserve Township.
How did Etna get its name?
It is named for Mount Etna, the volcano in Sicily.
What is an EcoDistrict?
A certification for communities that commit to sustainability and climate resilience. See Wikipedia’s EcoDistrict entry. Etna became the world’s first certified EcoDistrict in 2019.
Does Etna flood?
Parts of Etna are in the floodplain of Pine Creek and the Allegheny River, and the borough flooded during Hurricane Ivan in 2004. It has since invested in green infrastructure and stormwater projects. Buyers should check FEMA flood maps for any specific property.
Where is the Etna Riverfront Park?
At the southern end of Bridge Street, at the foot of the 62nd Street Bridge.
When does Etna Borough Council meet?
On the third Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at the borough building, 437 Butler Street.
Thinking About a Move to Etna?
Whether you are buying in Etna or selling a home here, we’re happy to answer questions, including flood zones and whether a specific 15223 home is in Etna or Shaler. No pressure. Just local knowledge. Start with the current Etna listings, or reach out to our team.
Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark
412-214-9494 | pittsburghhometeam.com
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Written by Mike Pastor, Team Leader, Mike Pastor Group | Realty ONE Group Landmark | PA License RS328638
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